Sergei Cofie-Squire, 61, is a Lotto winner who purchased a winning National Lottery Lotto HotPicks ticket from WH Smith, but has not received his £1,500 prize even after four weeks. He followed the new rules implemented by Allwyn, the new National Lottery operator, by verifying his numbers online and sending his ticket through the post for inspection. However, despite being informed that his ticket was received, he has not been paid his winnings yet. Sergei expressed his frustration at the delay, stating that he had followed all the procedures and expected a shorter waiting time.
Due to Allwyn’s new rules, winners of prizes between £500.01 and £50,000 must follow an online process to receive their money. Winners are required to provide personal information and submit a Prize Claim Form within 180 days. The company’s contract with The National Lottery expired in January, leading to delays in prize payments. Sergei plans to use his winnings for a holiday to Dubai and questions why he has to wait so long to collect his prize. He feels frustrated with the lack of communication and believes that the delays are unacceptable, as he followed all the necessary steps to claim his winnings fairly.
Allwyn responded to Sergei’s concerns by acknowledging the new claims process and the delays in payments, attributing it to people being unfamiliar with the new system. They assured that they are increasing the staff to assist with claims and are working to ensure that all winners receive their prizes. Sergei’s case was specifically addressed, and the company promised to update him on the status of his payment. Allwyn emphasized that all affected winners would ultimately receive their prizes, despite the current delays and frustrations experienced by some players.
The changes in prize claiming procedures by Allwyn have caused confusion and frustration among Lottery winners like Sergei. The decision to stop prize claims at Post Offices and transition to an online process has led to delays and communication issues. This shift was necessary due to the expiration of the contract with The National Lottery and the need to pay out mid-tier prizes directly. Sergei’s experience reflects the challenges faced by many winners who are required to navigate a new claims process and await their payments, leading to dissatisfaction and concerns about the reliability of the new system.
In response to Sergei’s case, Allwyn assured him and other affected winners that they are working to streamline the claiming process and address the delays promptly. The company acknowledged the teething problems associated with the transition to the new system and emphasized their commitment to ensuring that all winners receive their prizes. While the delays and lack of communication have caused frustration, Allwyn’s efforts to increase staff and improve the claims process are aimed at resolving these issues. Sergei and other winners can expect updates on their prize payments and reassurance that their winnings will be honored.
Overall, Sergei Cofie-Squire’s experience highlights the challenges faced by National Lottery winners in claiming their prizes under the new rules implemented by Allwyn. Despite following the required procedures, he has not received his £1,500 prize after four weeks, leading to frustration and concerns. Allwyn’s response to Sergei’s case indicates their awareness of the issues and their dedication to resolving the delays. While the transition to the new claims process has caused difficulties for some winners, Allwyn’s efforts to improve the system and ensure that all winners receive their prizes demonstrate their commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities as the National Lottery operator.
